He delivered the statement during the 11th National Working Meeting of the Indonesian Heritage Cities Network (JKPI) 2025 held in Yogyakarta.
Bima outlined three key foundations for strengthening heritage cities.
First, a heritage city is not only about aesthetics but also holds potential as a driver for economic growth. Second, its preservation must be sustainable and maintained across different leadership terms. Third, a heritage city plays a vital role in strengthening a city’s cultural identity and character.
“If we align our perspectives, cultural and heritage matters can become extraordinary assets in achieving Golden Indonesia 2045. Heritage cities can boost per capita income, reduce poverty, and more,” Bima noted in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.
He also highlighted that some local governments focus solely on sustainable economic growth while neglecting cultural preservation.
According to the deputy minister, culture and economy should progress together as part of a unified regional identity. “They are chasing numbers quickly, but at the expense of cultural preservation,” he remarked.
He cited Buton Tengah District (Buteng) as an example, which has rich marine resources and unique tourism opportunities that can be further developed.
He acknowledged that balancing economic development with cultural and historical heritage preservation is not easy, requiring efforts to maintain harmony across various development aspects.
“This is where we strengthen each other—not to eliminate the other, but to bring them together, aligning economic growth with cultural heritage,” he stated.
Furthermore, Bima encouraged regional leaders to enhance creativity and collaboration in managing cultural and tourism potential, suggesting partnerships with cultural figures, historians, and architects through the JKPI forum.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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